Ballerini attended Central High School in Knoxville as a teenager before moving to Franklin, Tenn., and graduating from Centennial High School. She then attended Lipscomb University before pursuing her career in music.

In this Jan. 26, 2017, photo, Kelsea Ballerini poses in Nashville, Tenn. Ballerini is nominated for a Grammy Award for best new artist. The 59th annual Grammy Awards will air live on CBS, Sunday, Feb. 12, from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Mark Humphrey, AP

In 2017, Ballerini partnered with iHeart Radio to donate $20,000 to Central High School during a concert at her alma mater.